te that sympathy in the _generosis
adolescentulis_, which Chidiock Titchbourne would have felt for them!

"A letter written by CHEDIOCK TICHEBURNE the night before he
suffered death, vnto his wife, dated of anno 1586.

"To the most loving wife alive, I commend me vnto her, and
desire God to blesse her with all happiness, pray for her dead
husband, and be of good comforte, for I hope in Jesus Christ
this morning to see the face of my maker and redeemer in the
most joyful throne of his glorious kingdome. Commend me to all
my friends, and desire them to pray for me, and in all charitie
to pardon me, if I have offended them. Commend me to my six
sisters poore desolate soules, advise them to serue God, for
without him no goodness is to be expected: were it possible, my
little sister Babb: the darlinge of my race might be bred by
her, God would rewarde her; but I do her wrong I confesse, that
hath by my desolate negligence too little for herselfe, to add
a further charge vnto her. Deere wife forgive me, that have by
these means so much impoverished her fortunes; patience and
pardon good wife I craue--make of these our necessities a
vertue, and lay no further burthen on my neck than hath
alreadie been. There be certain debts that I owe, and because I
know not the order of the lawe, piteous it hath taken from me
all, forfeited by my course of offence to her majestie, I
cannot aduise thee to benefit me herein, but if there fall out
wherewithal, let them be discharged for God's sake. I will not
that you trouble yourselfe with the performance of these
matters, my own heart, but make it known to my uncles, and
desire them, for the honour of God and ease of their soule, to
take care of them as they may, and especially care of my
sisters bringing up the burthen is now laide on them. Now,
Sweet-cheek, what is left to bestow on thee, a small joynture,
a small recompense for thy deservinge, these legacies
followinge to be thine owne. God of his infinite goodness give
thee grace alwaies to remain his true and faithfull servant,
that through the merits of his bitter and blessed passion thou
maist become in good time of his kingdom with the blessed women
in heaven. May the Holy Ghost comfort thee with all necessaries
for the wealth of thy soul in the world to c